Billionaire's Long Journey of Chasing His Love-Chapter 254 - 242 Can You Smile? (Part 1)

"No, I just finished filling the bath. To save water, I’ve decided that from now on, the two of us will shower together." Tong Airui said with a straight face, taking out his phone as he spoke.

Yi Luowa stood by the door, staring at him for a few seconds before mouthing the word: "Pervert."

Tong Airui, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, turned around to look at her. "Calling me names again?"

"Hurry up and make your phone call!" Yi Luowa snapped playfully, giving him a glare before turning to walk into the bathroom.

Tong Airui directly dialed Mai Shenglun’s number. Initially, Mai Shenglun tried to fool him by saying he was at home, but was quickly exposed by Tong Airui. Laughing, Mai Shenglun said, "I’m fine now, no need to worry about me. Just don’t tell your Aunt Xixi or Kaikai."

"I can keep it from Kaikai, but Aunt Xixi should be informed, right? You should have someone by your side."

"Rui’er, your Aunt Xixi hasn’t gone out in years. She finally took your grandparents out the day before yesterday. She’ll be back in a few days; don’t spoil their fun."

"Uncle Mai, is that Airui on the phone?" Jimo Shanshan’s voice came through the call.

Tong Airui brought the phone closer to his ear, listening carefully.

"Yes, it’s Rui’er." Mai Shenglun looked at Jimo Shanshan suspiciously. How does this female doctor know Airui?

"Tell him that I’m here, so he doesn’t need to worry," Jimo Shanshan said, pointing at her name badge.

Mai Shenglun glanced at it. Jimo Shanshan! That name sounded somewhat familiar.

Tong Airui curled his lips slightly. "Uncle, is Jimo Shanshan by your side?"

"Yes."

Tong Airui smiled. "Then I can relax. If you need anything, just let her know."

After exchanging a few more words with Mai Shenglun, Tong Airui ended the call and then made another to Zhu Lin, the housekeeper left in Z-country. He asked her to go to the hospital to take care of his uncle for the next few days.

With everything arranged, Tong Airui pushed open the bathroom door. His wife’s behavior today was commendable—she hadn’t locked the door.

Actually, it’s not that Yi Luowa didn’t want to lock it—locking it would be pointless!

The young lady had just finished worrying about Mai Shenglun and was now lying in the bubble-filled bath, feeling glum. She was mulling over something: back in Z-country, he still symbolically reserved a room for her. But ever since she arrived in Summerwitch, she had been directly placed in Tong Airui’s bedroom. And somehow, she actually went along with it!

"What are you thinking about?" Tong Airui began stripping militaristically.

Yi Luowa glanced at him and, watching him strip clean in under a minute, turned her face away in disdain.

Tong Airui chuckled, stepped in, and leaned against the edge of the tub next to her. "What’s wrong? You were fine earlier; now you’re sulking."

Yi Luowa scooted away, not wanting to talk to him.

Tong Airui was momentarily stunned, then reached out to pull her into his arms. "Worried about my uncle?"

"How is my uncle?" Mentioning her uncle finally elicited a response from Yi Luowa. However, while she opened her mouth, her body betrayed her as she tried to wriggle away.

Tong Airui held her tightly and gently bit her ear. "Uncle’s fine. I’ve arranged for Zhu Lin to look after him at the hospital. Tomorrow I’ll tell Mom about this, but for now, we can’t let Old Seven know—it’d affect his surgery. That’s all sorted; now it’s your turn. What’s got you upset?"

"...Is there no spare room in the house?" Yi Luowa tilted her head slightly and glanced at him.

Tong Airui looked at her quizzically. "There is. The house has dozens of empty rooms. Why?"

Yi Luowa pursed her lips and asked, "Then why am I staying here with you? Even Connie has her own room."

Tong Airui was initially startled, then laughed. "Do you know what you’re doing right now?"

Yi Luowa knew whatever came next wouldn’t be good, so she twisted his thigh hard.

Tong Airui laughed and grabbed her hand. "You’re picking a fight over nothing! Before you arrived, Mom asked me which room to give you. I said you’d stay with me. Think about it—if you were in another room, I’d have to follow you there. All the other rooms have standard-size beds. With me lying on one, where would my legs go?"

Yi Luowa pouted her lips. "If my second uncle finds out, he’ll scold me endlessly for being so improper—sharing a room with you even though we’re not married."

"You grew up in F-country, yet your mindset is so traditional." Tong Airui laughed as he tousled her hair. "Don’t worry, no one will call you out."

Yi Luowa sulked against the edge of the tub. Tong Airui glanced at her, his mind heavy, and picked up a towel to gently wipe her back. "How about we move upstairs tonight?"

"Don’t bother." Yi Luowa didn’t move, but at least she replied.

"Will you smile for me?"

"I’ve forgotten how to smile."

Tong Airui shook his head helplessly. "I didn’t think things through; I didn’t consider your feelings. You brought your ID card, right?"

"Yeah."

"Give it to me later."

"Why?" Yi Luowa rested her chin on her hands, asking gloomily.

"Shenying needs to fill out a form with your ID."

Yi Luowa pouted. "I’m not even part of Shenying. Why do you need my ID to fill out a form?"

"You’re my girlfriend—that makes you a semi-family member."

Yi Luowa snatched the towel from his hands and haphazardly wiped her arms. "I’ll give it to you later."

Tong Airui rubbed her head affectionately. "Don’t overthink it. I’ll apologize to you today—whatever I do in the future, I’ll take your feelings into account first."

Yi Luowa pouted. "You didn’t do anything wrong! Why apologize? I just thought of this suddenly, and there’s no one else to talk to—I could only bring it up with you. Honestly, this is still something I chose. You were completely right; I’m just being difficult."

"It’s good to let things out. If you bottle things up, you’ll end up sick." Tong Airui lightly patted her shoulder. "Turn around, I’ll help you wash. Go to bed early tonight so you won’t doze off in class tomorrow."

"I can wash myself." Yi Luowa smiled faintly. "Talking it out really helped—I’m back to full health!"

"Troublemaker!" Tong Airui teased, biting her shoulder playfully, only to get a mouthful of soap. "How much bath gel did you use?"

"Half a bottle, hehe..." She successfully teased Tong Airui, laughing freely herself.

"Wasteful!" Tong Airui stood up and pulled her out of the bath as well. "Let’s rinse off in the shower."

They rinsed off the bubbles, and Tong Airui wrapped her in a towel and carried her out.

He was oddly well-behaved tonight, harboring no improper thoughts. Before bed, he took Yi Luowa’s ID card and placed it in his bag.

The next morning, he sent Yi Luowa to school and drove to the manor. His second uncle was walking more naturally, and Huo Li was recovering well, though she still had to rest in bed for the time being.

Yi Weiyang saw him come alone and asked worriedly, "Did something happen to Luowa?"

"No, she’s at school. The two of us will visit you together this weekend. I came today because there’s something I’d like to discuss with you..."

Yi Weiyang listened, then reflected for a moment. "Did your parents approve of this?"

"This morning, I told them what I wanted behind Luowa’s back. They both supported me and asked me to seek your opinion."

"Luowa has a straightforward personality—she says whatever she thinks without filtering. Don’t take it personally. Even if I agree, how will you handle her? What if she gets in one of her moods and acts out again?"

"She wouldn’t! Luowa wouldn’t bear to make trouble for me." Tong Airui said with confidence.

"You can’t be sure!" Yi Weiyang laughed and shook his head. "Actually, handling it as you suggested might be best. At least it puts my mind at ease. Plus, it legitimizes Luowa living in your home. But I must remind you—this is a lifetime decision. Think it through."

"Second Uncle, I’ve already thought it through. Although we haven’t known each other long, I’ve decided she’s the one, and I’ll be good to her for life."

Tong Airui hesitated briefly before glancing at Yi Weiyang. "There’s another reason I want to do this. Lately, when Luowa’s gone to the car factory, a few times she stayed too late and didn’t come home. Somehow, this got back to King Muta, who subtly hinted to me to mind her reputation. If I settle this, who else would dare spread rumors about her?"

The part about King Muta was fabricated entirely by Tong Airui; he was just anxious. If his uncle didn’t approve, the plan wouldn’t work.

Yi Weiyang actually believed him. "Hurry up and get it done! Don’t let it affect you. Keep Luowa from going over there for now—less trouble is better."

Tong Airui stood up immediately. "Since you approve, I’ll get on it."

"No need to rush. Stay for lunch before you leave—it’s not too late." Yi Weiyang laughed.

"Prepare something delicious for us; we’ll come back this weekend to enjoy it together." Tong Airui bid farewell and hurriedly left the manor.

Yi Weiyang watched him leave, then headed to Huo Li’s bedroom. "You heard all of that. Tell me, do you think Luowa will act out?"

Huo Li laughed. "She’ll be over the moon and definitely won’t act out. Second Uncle, Luowa is so lucky—to have you as a wonderful uncle and a boyfriend who cares so deeply for her. Tong Airui is really a great guy!"

"Luowa has seen her share of hardship, but you can rest assured—your future will be bright too!" Yi Weiyang smiled, sitting down next to her. "What do you feel like doing today—cards or chess? I’ll play with you."

Huo Li smiled at Yi Weiyang. "Now that Luowa’s future is settled, you’re so happy that my status has upgraded! You used to say you hated playing chess with me and called me a terrible player!"

"Twisting my words again!" Yi Weiyang pointed a finger at Huo Li as the two laughed together.

*

Tong Airui left the manor and immediately called Leng Chukang in Z-country. Leng Chukang listened and then teased him. "Just for something this small, you personally called me?"

"Young Master Kang is an important figure. How could I not call you myself? I need this urgently—please handle it quickly."

"Alright, I’ll try to get it sent out tonight. You’ll have it by tomorrow morning. Just fax me the documents."

"Okay." Tong Airui replied, taking out Yi Luowa’s ID card.